A new Bureau of Criminal Investigation crime lab to be built on the campus of Bowling Green State University will be home to an emerging partnership between the university and the Ohio Attorney General's Office based on a budget amendment approved by the Ohio Senate Thursday.
State Senator Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, sponsored the amendment to establish the Ohio BCI Forensic Research and Professional Training Center beginning in 2014. Gardner's amendment provides $600,000 for the program, which is expected to be the only one of its kind in Ohio upon implementation.
Six years ago then Attorney General Marc Dann threatened to close the Bowling Green BCI crime lab and move it to Toledo. The issue remained unresolved until current Attorney General Mike DeWine, with strong support from Northwest Ohio law enforcement officials, agreed to keep the lab in Bowling Green and expand its capabilities on the BGSU campus.
State Senator Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, sponsored the amendment to establish the Ohio BCI Forensic Research and Professional Training Center beginning in 2014. Gardner's amendment provides $600,000 for the program, which is expected to be the only one of its kind in Ohio upon implementation.
Six years ago then Attorney General Marc Dann threatened to close the Bowling Green BCI crime lab and move it to Toledo. The issue remained unresolved until current Attorney General Mike DeWine, with strong support from Northwest Ohio law enforcement officials, agreed to keep the lab in Bowling Green and expand its capabilities on the BGSU campus.